Hosea 14 | Wayfarer

Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
    Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the Lord are right;
    the righteous walk in them,
    but the rebellious stumble in them.
Hosea 14:9 (NIV)

I had a friend who spent time in Russia almost immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union. His visit was part of a educational mission and his team met with groups of educators from the ex-Soviet system. As he explained to me his experiences, he shared a simple recurring story that spoke volumes to him.

My friend had a set of different colored markers. He would hold out his hand with four or five different colors of markers and ask a participant to pick one. He said that his Russian hosts would always freeze-up and stare at him blankly. They refused to make a choice. His interpreter explained to him that under the Soviet system, there are no choices. They had always been given a marker and told which one to use.

Today’s chapter is the ancient prophet Hosea’s swan song message to his people. Despite thirteen chapters of dire warnings and prophetically foreshadowing an impending Assyrian invasion and exile, Hosea has not given up hope. Throughout the course of his messages, Hosea has repeatedly predicted that, even if his people end up suffering in exile, there will be a season of restoration and blessing on the other side. His final message channels this hope, envisioning a restored relationship with God and the blessing that will follow. He then ends his prophetic works with a choice.

Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
    Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the Lord are right;
    the righteous walk in them,
    but the rebellious stumble in them.

Choice is a theme throughout the Great Story. Adam and Eve are given a choice to obey God’s command not to eat the forbidden fruit, or not. They chose not.

God said to His people through Moses:
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

Joshua said to the same people:
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

The prophet Elijah put it this way:
“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

The sage of Proverbs admonishes:
“Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,”

Jesus told His followers:
“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”

And James wrote to the followers of Jesus:
“…anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

In John’s Revelation Jesus described salvation as the simple choice of opening the door of one’s heart:
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

In the quiet this morning, I find myself facing another day on this earthly journey in which I have many choices both large and small. The big choice of following Jesus helps determine all of the little choices of how I will react, respond, relate, think, speak, and act.

I endeavor to choose well over, and over, and over again.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.

Photo taken by me as an example of a stay at h... — (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
my love will know no bounds,
for my anger will be gone forever.
Hosea 14:4 (NLT)

It has been said that a child’s view of God often comes directly from their relationship (or lack of relationship) with their father. How a child sees God is often the same as they see their dad. I get why kids make the comparison, and as a dad I’ve often felt the weight of that responsibility.

Perhaps that’s why when I read the prophets I sometimes feel a pang of understanding with God’s point-of-view as He relates and responds to His children. While not universally true, I think it is generally true that fathers tend to be the hand of justice in a family while mothers provide a balance of compassion. Dads often make the unpopular and difficult decisions, risking the temper tantrums and cold shoulders, trusting that the child will eventually realize that it was ultimately for their benefit.

Dad’s also tend to be the executioner of punishment. Among my numerous friends with small children, I still hear the phrase “wait ’til your father gets home” used in high frequency. As the judge, jury and executioner of family justice, I find it easier to relate when the prophets warn, cajole and speak of God’s anger at His children’s foolishness and outright rebellion. But I also realize that this is not the whole story.

Underneath this father’s iron fist of justice beats a soft heart of love and compassion. Our daughters may have felt my stubborn wrath, but my wife will tell you at just how deeply I agonize over the girls when I have ever had to make difficult decisions that resulted in the girls disappointment, frustration, or anger. I get it when God continues to remind His children through the prophets that at the source of the fire hose of justice you’ll find the still waters of love and compassion. As the saying goes, “still waters run deep.”

Today, I’m thankful for being a dad and the spiritual lessons it affords. I continue to pray that, despite may many failings, I will always be for my children (and someday their children and their children’s children) a worth example of our Heavenly Father.